A RECRUITMENT service has been launched in Wales to save tens of thousands of SMEs valuable time and money.

More than 53,500 small and medium sized enterprises in Wales can now access a new facility service launched by Jobcentre Plus.

The professional recruitment service, which has already helped over 16,000 businesses around the UK, offers advice on placing job advertisements, matching the right candidate to the job, expert knowledge of the local market and could even offer free room hire.

Minister for Employment, Chris Grayling said: “This government is committed to injecting new life into the private sector and supporting small businesses which are vital in helping to drive the UK’s economic recovery.

“We are supporting business by reducing regulation and tax rates, including reducing corporation tax and national insurance for employers.

“This recruitment service will further help small businesses by taking the hassle out of the recruitment process and saving on recruitment costs.”

Benefits of the service include: A free professional service which helps to take the cost and hassle out of recruitment; free vacancy advertising via one of the largest job sites in Europe, and saving time by only seeing people who best meet the requirements of the business as Jobcentre Plus will screen applications.

The project was created in consultation with the Federation of Small Businesses, the British Chamber of Commerce and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Janet Jones, chair of the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales, told Business Post: “It can be a complex task for small businesses taking on new staff and they need all the help and advice they can get in the recruitment process.

She added: “It is great to see that they can now access a Jobcentre Plus recruitment service that is tailored to their needs for free.

“Small businesses are keen to employ and services such as these help give them the support they need.”